Trump Resurrection!

What, you didn't know Trump was buried after the revelations about DJT Jr.'s emails? The failing NY Times and the dying in darkness WaPo are standing by with shovels. The Times headline:

Rancor at White House as Russia Story Refuses to Let the Page Turn

And the WaPo:

‘Category 5 hurricane’: White House under siege by Trump Jr.’s Russia revelations

Yeah, yeah. Fun's fun, but elsewhere in the Times are some explainers that can help guide any of their readers who are so inclined back home to reality. Which is still grim, but we won't be seeing any indictments before the weekend, so there's that.

First, many conservative sites have taken note of the odd appearance of the Russian lawyer at a House hearing on June 14, days after her famous Trump Jr. meeting [link 1; McFaul link 2]. She is seen seated behind Michael McFaul, Obama's former Ambassador to Russia, who is describing and defending the arc of the Russian reset. (His gist - the US-Russian tension was ginned up by Putin to serve his domestic political agenda and had little to do with Obama. Whatev.) So what is her tie to Team Obama and does it mean she was a lure sent to ensnare Team Trump?

Ahh, maybe, but probably not. Naturally this plays like a Russian novel, but bear with me. From the Times:

Natalia Veselnitskaya, Lawyer Who Met Trump Jr., Seen as Fearsome Moscow Insider

...

In recent years, she [Ms. V] had become the public face of Moscow’s efforts to reverse international travel and financial sanctions on key Russian figures linked to an alleged $230 million tax fraud.

Sergei Magnitsky, a lawyer who exposed the fraud, was arrested by the same prosecutors who he suggested had organized it. He died in jail in 2009 amid accusations of beatings and medical malpractice.

In 2012 Mr. Browder, who had been Mr. Magnitsky’s boss, successfully campaigned for the United States Congress to pass the Magnitsky Act, a collection of sanctions naming Russian officials linked to Mr. Magnitsky’s death. An outraged Mr. Putin responded by banning Americans from adopting Russian children.

Ms. Veselnitskaya has also met with members of Congress and helped to establish a Delaware nonprofit group that lobbied against the sanctions. She submitted lengthy testimony and organized a screening of an anti-Magnitsky film at Newseum in Washington in June 2016, just days after she met with Donald Trump Jr.

She also attended a congressional committee hearing on American policy toward Russia a day after the screening, taking a front-row seat.

Her bread is buttered by Russian oligarchs interested in overturning these sanctions. She will meet with anyone who can advance that agenda, surely including Obama holdovers and Republican Presidential aspirants. But would she collude with Team Clinton to derail Trump? A simpler explanation is that she (or intermediary Goldstone, or someone) made up a BS story to entice DJT Jr. into a meeting; the idea of inviting Trump Jr. to a Magnitsky snoozefest never took hold, believe it or not. Or what, the idea that Goldstone, a music promoter and tabloid journalist, would make stuff up doesn't work for you?

In fact, I will now tell you exactly what happened (or might have!). Ms. V describes her Magnitsky-related files covering the prosecution and alleged crimes to Goldstone; after he emerges from his brief coma he re-brands them as serious Russian dirt showing Hillary/Obama et al were dupes and patsies about the circumstances of Magnitsky's crimes, imprisonment and death when the Magnitsky Act was passed in 2012. The guy is a publicist, right? (Full Disclosure: any click-whoring blogger would have done the same re-imagining, or so my mirror tells me). From there to his provocative (but meeting-inducing!) email was a short step.

Further support for this notion can be found in the Times and Guardian descriptions of the controversial film in question. From the Guardian:

Nekrasov has produced several films highly critical of Russian president Vladimir Putin. He was a friend of former Russian Federal Security Service officer Aleksandr Litvinenko, who was killed by a radioactive substance in London in 2006. His 2007 documentary about that case premiered at the Cannes film festival and was shown in Moscow at the Sakharov human rights organisation.

In an interview in April, the director said he initially intended to make a film about how Magnitsky uncovered the tax fraud and was killed in order to silence him, but that his research later made him change his mind.

The film now asserts that Magnitsky was not beaten while in police custody, and that he did not make any specific allegations against individuals in his testimony to Russian authorities.

“I didn’t abandon that narrative easily because I was ideologically very close to Browder,” he said. “I was also a regime critic, honestly, on a lot of counts. But if we are not telling the truth, then it makes it easier for the bad guys to carry on doing their bad things.”

Hmm. Ms. V surely had the film premiere uppermost in her mind when she met with DJT Jr. Not that she can't multi-task, of course, but surely files from the Russian prosecutor's office would have the sort of material that changed the mind of this film director.

So who is going to watch this movie?

Well. If this speculation is true the good news is that there was never a serious attempt by the Russian government to team up with Trump. The bad news, and still highly relevant for purposes of the current excitement, is that DJT Jr. pretty clearly showed a willingness to contemplate the idea. 

So, was this offer of Russian collusion even real? Might cooler heads on Team Trump have ultimately prevailed if a real Russian offer was made? Stay tuned!

As to the law, Chuck Savage of the Times has this legal explainer:

WASHINGTON — The revelation that President Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., agreed to meet with a Kremlin-linked lawyer in June 2016 after being promised damaging information about Hillary Clinton has escalated discussion about whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia’s interference in the election.

...

Is the meeting enough to prove conspiracy?

The events made public in the past few days are not enough to charge conspiracy, said Renato Mariotti, a former federal prosecutor. Still, he said, the revelations are important because if further evidence of coordination emerges, the contents of the emails and the fact of the meeting would help establish an intent to work with Russia on influencing the election.

“What this email string establishes is that Don Jr. was aware that the Russian government wanted to help the Trump campaign and he welcomed support from the Russian government,” Mr. Mariotti said.

...

“Anytime you are talking about coordinating or collusion, you are talking about the possibility of conspiracy charges,” said Samuel W. Buell, a former federal prosecutor who teaches criminal law at Duke University. “But conspiracy is not a crime that floats by itself in the air. There has to be an underlying federal offense that is being conspired to be committed.”

So what crime might we be talking about? Puzzling...

Was election law violated?

A federal law, Section 30121 of Title 52, makes it a crime for any foreigner to contribute or donate money or some “other thing of value” in connection with an American election, or for anyone to solicit a foreigner to do so. Legal experts struggled to identify any precedent for prosecutions under that statute, but that phrase is common in other federal criminal statutes covering such crimes as bribery and threats, said Richard L. Hasen, an election-law professor at the University of California, Irvine. Courts have held, in other contexts, that a “thing of value” can be something intangible, like information.

Robert Bauer, an election-law specialist who served as White House counsel in the Obama administration, argued that this statute covers the Russian government’s paying its spies and hackers to collect and disseminate negative information about Mrs. Clinton to help Mr. Trump win the 2016 election.

“There are firms in the United States that do negative research and sell it to campaigns,” Mr. Bauer argued. “There is no way to take information someone has compiled using resources and say it’s just information and dirt. It’s valuable information and counts as a contribution when given to or distributed for the benefit of a campaign.”

But Orin S. Kerr, a George Washington University professor and former federal prosecutor, said the notion struck him as a stretch.

“The phrase ‘contribution or donation’ sounds like a gift to help fund the campaign or give them something they otherwise would buy,” Mr. Kerr argued. “If that is the standard, that doesn’t seem to be met, based on what we know so far, because this wasn’t something that someone else could have gathered that was for sale in a market or would be otherwise purchasable.”

The hacking, on the other hand, would be a pretty easy violation to charge, but that does not seem to have been the topic of this meeting.

Yes, we noted Prof. Hasen's argument earlier. Our point was that it would take an aggressive prosecutor to go after an election law charge but with Special Counsel Mueller an aggressive prosecutor is what we've got. With the unified Washington establishment behind him, so don't worry about anyone bringing the country together anytime soon.

As to DJT Jr., an unexplored line of defense is that he knew Goldstone well, so he knew that, as with real estate developers, a 90% discount had to be applied to all his statements. And that discounting cuts both ways - Trump's "I love it", translated from mogul-ese, meant "this meeting sounds slightly better than your last five ludicrous promotions; you get ten minutes."

Maybe. People on both sides of this are keeping hope alive.

 

Comments

[henry]

Jeepers! A novel.

[Threadkiller]

Was Anna Chapman involved?

One can only hope.

[rse]

anyone else read this and think of boris and natasha from the bullwinkle cartoon?

[Tom Maguire]

anyone else read this and think of boris and natasha from the bullwinkle cartoon?

Did anybody NOT? (Although there may be a youngster or two here...)

[narciso]

No ivAnova and grishenko,hence I keep skorupco's picture on the Lyn, vedelnitskatav more like a Russian Rachel ray

[henry]

Boris and Natasha indeed. As TM points out, this gal is tied to more DC people than herpes. The question I have is whether this was used by Comey to manufacture his FISA warrant to cover Obama's political spying on domestic enemies.

[Threadkiller]

Last time we suffered a lying publicist was when Obama's bio said "born in Kenya."

[rse]

http://nypost.com/2017/07/11/writer-claims-chelsea-clinton-stole-his-book-idea/

I think he should use the images from the hamptons vacation to promote the idea that the perpetual child wants to benefit from others' hard work in general.

[Ralph L]

The last sentence needs a little editing.

Is it just because Goldstone is fat and homely that I assume he isn't bright enough to conspire?

He apologized to Jr immediately, so my guess is he was in the dark.

Still no reaction to Natalia's attire?

[James D.]

anyone else read this and think of boris and natasha from the bullwinkle cartoon?

I didn't, because I can't find anything humorous in this. Good people are going to have their lives turned inside out over this bullshit. I can't laugh at that.

Nor can I laugh about the things this country desperately needs that will be delayed, or won't happen at all, because of the treachery of the Democrats, media and bureaucrats, with the connivance of the GOPe.

I don't want jokes. I want blood (metaphorical, or not, I don't really care at this point) spilled in retaliation for these vile attacks on our President and the people around him.

[Davod]

"He apologized to Jr immediately, so my guess is he was in the dark."

So who wrote his e-mails containing the FISA targeted words?

[James D.]

I think he should use the images from the hamptons vacation to promote the idea that the perpetual child wants to benefit from others' hard work in general.

I think one of AG Session' people at DoJ should take a look at the Podesta emails concerning the first perpetual child's wedding and how she used Clinton Foundation funds to pay for it, and nail the snotty little bitch for charity fraud, and throw her in federal prison.

Not that it'll ever happen, of course, because our side is too decent to go after the Dems even when they literally steal money from starving people in order to enrich themselves.

[Ralph L]

Davod--Natalia's suggestions?

the things this country desperately needs that will be delayed, or won't happen at all, because of the treachery of the Democrats, media and bureaucrats, with the connivance of the GOPe.
The prog masses scream IMPEACH!, but this is really what it's about.

[James D.]

Exactly, Ralph. And as CH posted last thread, the GOPe is fully on board with non-cooperation as their EPA budget (without most of the President's requested cuts) shows.

[Buckeye]

Mrs. Buckeye notes that there was obviously no collusion between DJT Jr. and the Russian gal.

If there was, DJT Jr. would have an adopted Russian baby by now:)

[narciso]

So don jr was going to comey who was,credit monitor for the most corrupt bank in the world, McCabe who was indented to red quuen, prietap

[Clarice Feldman]

If anyone colluded with Russia--it was Hillary:http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/media/341493-opinion-forget-don-jrs-email-its-hillary-clinton-who-colluded-with

She also got dirt from the Ukrainians and held a secret mtg with the Chinese.

[Clarice Feldman]

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/jul/11/democrats-spread-false-russian-information-on-trum/

And of course, this.

[Ralph L]

DJT Jr. would have an adopted Russian baby by now
FIFY

[Ralph L]

NYP: Joe Scarborough No Longer A Republican: “My Party Has Betrayed Their Core Values”
And I've betrayed my English teachers.

[Captain Hate]

Nothing says "core values" like leaving your wife for a coworker.

[Davod]

Joe Scarborough under the thumb (Change [religion], sorry, party or no marriage), and not even married.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

Well, went to the grocery and had Laura Ingraham on. In her continuing effort to prove she would have been a better press secretary than Sarah Sanders or Sean Spicer, she had on the unctuous Mark Halperin, who was just full of BS innuendo about how the White House is chaotic and this is serious stuff with Russia and how BOTH GOP and dem Congresscritters are concerned.

She asked him if this would have been the case if the same thing had happened with Hillary, and he said of course. it's bi-partisan concern about Russia, not seen since the 90's.

She brought up the "more flexible after the election" but he had no answer for that. She was ineffective in questioning, allowed him to weasel out of stuff, and for the life of me, I do not understand why she had him on her program.

She would NOT have been a good press secretary and I am glad she is not in the White House.

Oh, and Mark Halperin can be lodged in James D.'s fabled tinderbox house.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

Donald J. Trump‏Verified account @realDonaldTrump 2h2 hours ago

Why aren't the same standards placed on the Democrats. Look what Hillary Clinton may have gotten away with. Disgraceful!

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

Donald J. Trump‏Verified account @realDonaldTrump 2h2 hours ago

The W.H. is functioning perfectly, focused on HealthCare, Tax Cuts/Reform & many other things. I have very little time for watching T.V.

[lurkersusie]

Good news, Steve Scalise, is out of intensive care unit.

[Clarice Feldman]

http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2017/07/a-russia-collusion-story-worth-pursuing.php

Russia funneled money to "green groups" to hamper US energy production

[Buckeye]

I think someone needs to point out the obvious.

If this is the best Russia can muster to influence an election, there is nothing to worry about.

[Clarice Feldman]

https://townhall.com/columnists/brentbozell/2017/07/12/l-brent-bozell-iii-and-tim-graham-n2353596

When Bill Clinto took $$$ from the Chinese

[narciso.]

I could cite the examiner, but that wouldn't cover the primal screams from guillam

www.alaskapublic.org/2017/07/11/epa-takes-step-toward-ending-pre-emptive-veto-of-pebble-mine

[Frau Edith Steingehirn]

From Clarice's link @ 11:34 -

Some Democrats have widely circulated the discredited information. Mr. Steele was paid by the Democrat-funded opposition research firm Fusion GPS with money from a Hillary Clinton backer. Fusion GPS distributed the dossier among Democrats and journalists. The information fell into the hands of the FBI, which used it in part to investigate Mr. Trump’s campaign aides.

"fell into the hands of the FBI"? John McCain deserves credit, doesn't he?

[narciso.]

On a more dissapointing note:
https://mobile.twitter.com/josh_hammer/status/884962218911125508?p=v

[henry]

Narciso, What did Tillerson screw up?

That the Senate is not repealing anything shouldn't surprise anyone -- the House bill was nearly as bad.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

narciso,

That isn't enough information for me to get upset yet. "Looks like he's going to shaft conservatives" doesn't work unless there is some actual evidence.

[narciso.]

The deal which let Dora skate, its a bucket of scorpions but still.

[Captain Hate]

Good news, Steve Scalise, is out of intensive care unit.

Thanks for that info since the MFM is trying to make him an Unperson of Jesusland shot by some right wingnut motivated by talk radio.

[Davod]

"When Bill Clinto took $$$ from the Chinese"

The Clinton Administration took the administration of Dual military/civilian use export approvals away from the military and transferred it to a civilian orientated agency (I think it was the Department of Commerce).

I believe this enabled the US to export navigation equipment such as GPS and INS to China. This enabled the Chinese to improve the accuracy of their missile systems.

[narciso.]

That would be Qatar, autocorrect is very provincial, I don't trust tillerson.

[narciso.]

I disagree, but ymmv

https://althouse.blogspot.com/2017/07/scott-adams-on-tucker-carlsons-show.html

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

Well, narciso, you have to explain why you don't trust Tillerson. I see no reason to distrust him, myself.

[pagar, a bacon, ham and sausage supporter]

"this is serious stuff with Russia and how BOTH GOP and dem Congresscritters are concerned."

IMO, the stuff with Russia is 100% BS, The only Congress person who claims they are concerned is they are the ones that don't want Pres Trump to succeed in making America great again. They should all be fired by their voters.

If the Congress persons were doing their job, President Trump would have the people he needs to get the job done and the waste of money in Congress would cease immediately.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

pagar,

I agree with you. The quote came from Mark Halperin (MSNBC and The Circus). He's not an impartial reporter at all, which is why the interview was a waste of time.

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

This story is the biggest nothing burger in this pattyless [or patseyless] fable so far.

If this wily Kremlin harlot really was out to upend the sainted Hillary while posting virulently anti Trump FB messages I hope TM will update his post to note the slight incongruity of it.

If those truly are the circumstances does Occam come down on the side of a Trump hater connected to the Kremlin trying to help the hapless, bumbling, easily manipulated and corrupt wretch Hillary who had already demonstrated an eager willingness to play the quid pro quo game with Putin and his cronies or trying to help the unpredictable wild card of a guy, Trump that she hates?

[sbwaters]

New thread!

[Tom Maguire]

If this wily Kremlin harlot really was out to upend the sainted Hillary while posting virulently anti Trump FB messages I hope TM will update his post to note the slight incongruity of it.

I don't think for a moment she was interested in upending Hillary 2016, but any way to get in the door and make her anti-Magnitsky pitch would have been fine.

As to her Trump-bashing - haven't read it but I doubt she breaks on the usual US political spectrum. However, if she is hoping to work with the Washington Establishment (Dems like McFaul, Reps like McCain), well, anti-Trump worked and still works on both sides of that aisle.

[pagar, a bacon, ham and sausage supporter]

http://madworldnews.com/obama-russian-lawyer-don-jr/

"at the behest of Obama"